Hi I am doing some research for a story and wanted to know if their was a distinctive smell a body that is in rigour mortis for about four hours gives off? How would a body smell if your nose was close to the skin? THanks

All really depends on the surroundings. Temperature of the surroundings, temp of the body at the time of death, etc... there are so many circumstances here that you left out.

Was it hot outside at the time of death? Has the temperature risen or lowered since death? Is it indoors? Outdoors? Time of year?

There are so many factors that go into forensic science at this level it is virtually impossible to answer your question as it is.

Oh yes sorry. Umm, well it's outside in summer time in western Australia, so it would have been on average a 35 degree Celsius day. The body has been found outside on a coastal road at around 10pm so would have died at 6pm. It's a clear night. The body is found on a bituman road. The body is wearing denim jeans and a long sleeved cotton shirt. No apparent cause of death.

I know nothing about it, but I'd say it smelt pretty bad, lol, ewwwwww good luck with you story